The sighting of a fox running behind the Lion Terrace in the Manor gardens earlier this week brought to mind the following:

On Saturday 24 September, 1870 the Grantham Journal reported “On Friday last, Mr Chatterbrook, the house steward of Harlaxton Manor discovered, concealed in a small closet used by the housemaids to keep their pans, brushes, etc., a fine fox. It appears to have effected an entrance by way of the kitchen, and after causing considerable commotion in the cooking department, left to pay a visit to the knights of the broom, where it was discovered some time after by Mr. Chatterbrook, who got the assistance of the footman, and succeeded in chasing Miss Reynard to her proper elements. The same fox has been seen in the neighbourhood for some time past, where it has caused considerable annoyance to the domestics of Harlaxton Hall.”